The Religions of the World and Their Relations to Christianity

Abstract

The Religions of the World and Their Relations to Christianity (1847) derives from a series of eight lectures by the renowned theologian and political radical F. D. Maurice (1805–1872). They were given in a series established by Robert Boyle in 1691 as a stipulation of his will and intended 'for proving the Christian Religion against notorious Infidels'. Maurice both abides by and transforms this charge, examining 'the great Religious Systems … not going into their details … but enquiring what was their main characteristical principle.' In this important early work of comparative religious scholarship, Maurice investigates the theological foundations of the major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism - as well as what he calls the 'defunct' faiths of ancient Greek, Rome, Egypt, Persia and Scandinavia. The resulting text is a rich work of theological enquiry and a valuable testament to a central nineteenth-century religious thinker.

The Old and New Comparative Theologies: Discourses on Religion, the Theology of Religions, Orientalism and the Boundaries of Traditions

“…58ff. ), while he suggests the core ideas of other religions, here speaking of Hinduism, provide 'a principle that is as characteristic of our faith as it is of the Hindoo' ( [15], pp. 172-3).…”

“…It may be noted that, in his arguments here, Nicholson is not directly doing Comparative Theology, but working on the justification of the NCT in the light of critiques of the OCT, although this feeds into how he sets out his own Comparative Theology (i.e., in its contrast with Otto). [14,15]. Both Freeman and Maurice were noted theologians, of a liberal inclination, in their own day, and their books enjoyed great popularity as accessible works discussing other religions from a Christian standpoint.…”

“…Focusing upon Maurice, it cannot be denied that he tends to see all, at least non-Christian, religious traditions as being fairly static and unitary things each of which, he argues, posses a single overriding 'truth' or focus that they develop. So he speaks of, for instance, 'the great Mahometan truth' ( [15], p. 165) which he tells us is that God is One. For the Hindu, he tells us: 'First, he has the deepest assurance that God must be an Absolute and Living Being, who can be satisfied with nothing less perfect than himself' ( [15], pp.…”

“…So he speaks of, for instance, 'the great Mahometan truth' ( [15], p. 165) which he tells us is that God is One. For the Hindu, he tells us: 'First, he has the deepest assurance that God must be an Absolute and Living Being, who can be satisfied with nothing less perfect than himself' ( [15], pp. 60-1).…”

DRACULA’S APOLOGETICS OF PROGRESS

“…D. Maurice's work responded to early Victorian research on Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, available through such sources as the Royal Asiatic society and Masonic journals. Maurice's The Religions of the World and Their Relation to Christianity (1847) posed a contrast between the ethnic and regional particularities that beset other religions, and the transcendent universality of the Christian message. Maurice argues that the “accidents of.…”